Bowies... Western or Ontario?

puukkoman

puukkoman

Joined
Sep 30, 2004
Messages
6,997
Hey, everyone.
I'm planning to pick up a bowie soon. It will be a user, as a heavy duty camp knife and general workhorse.
So far, I've narrowed it down to two options: Ontario SP10 (Marine Raider bowie) or the Western W49 bowie. However, I'm having trouble deciding which to purchase! I love the classic looks of the W49, and its true full tang, as opposed to the SP10's stick tang. But, I'm on a budget and the SP10's price is certainly appealing. Plus, I've heard many people say good things about the Ontario knives and their durability, and I can always put a nicer wooden handle onto the blade later on down the road if I decide I don't like the rubber.

Who's got an opinion for me, one way or the other?
Thanks!
 
I've had the Ontario and I've handled a couple of the Western's. I think that the Western is a better overall knife design, but I'm not sure that the premium you're going to pay over the Ontario is really worth it. People wail on the Ontario's with no issues and the price is right.
 
Ontario's aren't lookers but great workhorses for the price. Among other ontario's I own sp6 8" fighter and sp2502 kukri, both in 1095 with kraton handles. The sheaths are nothing to write home about, the grind where the blade starts/choil area isn't pretty, but the blade and grind are sharp and exact otherwise, the epoxy coating can be a little rough too but again nothing that should effect overall performance. The kraton handles feel good in hand and seems to enclose the tang well as opposed to a guard. My kukri is 1/4 thick like the sp10 i've given it a good beating though stumps, logs, branches, and the occasional mis swing into dirt and chainlink fence.

If your budget allows ontario upgraded the SP line with 5160 steel albeit with less traditional bowie blade shapes. On the flip they also ofter their ranger series in a bush line(ex google ontario rbs-9) made of 1095 instead 5160 and 3/16 thickness instead of 1/4 for less $$$.
 
I've owned and used an SP-10 for about 5 years, and I am totally satisfied with it. I've never used the Western Bowie, but I can't imagine it being of such a superior quality as to justify thew difference in cost. The Ontario is cheaper and gets the job done. What more could a man ask for in a knife?
 
I don't have experience with Western, so I can't give an opinion with that. However, I own an SP10 and love it!

RaiderBowie001.jpg


I've wailed on mine more than a few times and haven't had a problem yet (except the one time I hit a rock). :rolleyes:
Even then, no chips just some rolling. Ontario's 1095 heat treatment seems to be pretty tough.

My first day out with it, I processed a night's worth of firewood and was still able to shave hair the next morning. Like the above have mentioned, the grinds, the sheath, and, well, the overall deal aren't the prettiest, but it has it where it counts...especially for the price.
 
I have never had a Western Bowie. I do have an Ontario SP10 Marine Raider. You cant go wrong with it. I have batoned the snot outta mine, specifically pounding on the thinner tip end, with NO issues. As stated, mine still shaved hair after i was done. NOTE: I had to sharpen mine & am pretty good at doing so. The sheath is good for the price. The swivel/dangler works excellent & you can work with it on your side (bend/squat, get into/out of vehicles).

100_0870.jpg
 
Sold. Picking up an SP10 this very minute. Maybe I'll jump on a Western down the line if I feel the need (hah!) for something more classic... but from what I'm hearing, that probably won't be necessary.

Thank you, gents!

In the meantime, post some pics of your bowies in action to tide me over! Ehh? :D
 
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